Differences between 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G telco networks.

Differences between 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G telecom networks.

Simply, the "G" stands for "GENERATION". 

 

The 1980s brought the first generation—or 1G—of networks with voice-only, analog service. The top speed of data transmission on a 1G network reached around 2.4kbps.

 
2G Networks
The 2G network began in Finland in 1991, allowing cell phones to move into the digital world. 2G allowed for call and text encryption as well as SMS, picture messaging and MMS. The maximum speed for 2G was about 50kbps.

3G Networks
The advent of a 3G network with more data, video calling and mobile internet began in 1998. What we may now consider a “slow” network in many large municipalities was the height of technology until 4G came along. 3G networks reach 2mbps on stationary or non-moving devices and 384kbps on devices in moving vehicles.

4G Networks
4G, or the current standard of cellular networks, was released in the late 2000s and is 500 times faster than 3G. It has been able to support high-definition mobile TV, video conferencing and much more. When a device is moving, as when you are walking with your phone or are in a car, the top speed can be 10s of Mbps, and when the device is stationary, it can be 100s of Mbps. The 20MHz bandwidth sector has peak capacity of 400Mbps. However, since users are sharing available sector capacity among others, observable speed experiences by users are typically in 10s -100s of Mbps.

 

5G Networks
5G is based on new radio and core network infrastructure, boosting speeds to 1Gbps for VR applications, offering low latency and handling a high density of connected objects. It is a robust alternative to fixed lines/cable and was developed by and for industrial players to extend wireless cable into industrial settings, with the goal of solving unique challenges and unlocking emerging applications.

 

2G vs 3G vs 4G vs 5G  

Each generation in some way has improved over its predecessor. There is a lot of ground to compare the cell networks over. Following is the comparison between 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G. 

The comparison of 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G clearly shows the differences in the technologies. The comparison of 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G also makes it evident that 5G is going to be one of the most ambitious leaps in the history of cell network technologies.